TriHealth is proud to be one of the few hospital systems nationwide to offer a breakthrough new procedure called bioprosthetic aortic scallop intentional laceration (BASILICA) for patients who are at higher risk for coronary artery obstruction during valve replacement surgery in treatment of aortic stenosis.

What is Aortic Stenosis?

Up to 1.5 million people in the United States suffer from aortic stenosis, a progressive disease that causes narrowing or obstruction of the aortic valve. Patients who suffer from severe symptomatic aortic stenosis often develop debilitating symptoms that can restrict normal day-to-day activities, including:

Severe shortness of breath

Chest pain or tightness

Fainting

Extreme fatigue

Lightheadedness/dizziness

Difficulty exercising

Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Treatment of Aortic Stenosis

About two thirds of patients with aortic stenosis can often benefit from surgery to replace their diseased valve. TriHealth is one of the first hospitals in the United States to treat patients with a minimally-invasive procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, some patients, especially the elderly and frail, are at risk during a TAVR procedure to experience coronary artery obstruction, which can be fatal.

A Safer Option for At-Risk Patients

BASILICA is a procedure where intervention cardiologists use catheters to slice the old leaflets of the valve, so when a new valve is put in, it doesn't obstruct the coronary arteries, lowering the risk for complications. The old valve is sliced and pushed aside by a tiny electrified wire and the new valve is placed inside of the old one. Valves that are replaced using this procedure can last between 10-20 years.